American journal of preventive medicine
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Routine influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP) can reduce influenza-related illness and its potentially serious consequences among HCP and their patients. Influenza vaccination has been routinely recommended for HCP since 1984. ⋯ Influenza vaccination coverage was higher among HCP than non-HCP, but still below the national target of 90%. Vaccination coverage varied widely by occupation type, work settings, and demographic characteristics. Evidence-based interventions, such as making vaccine available at no cost in the workplace and active promotion of vaccination, are needed to increase influenza vaccination among HCP in all healthcare settings.
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People with serious mental illness experience substantially reduced life expectancy, likely due in part to their higher smoking rates relative to the general population. However, the extent to which smoking affects their life expectancy, independent of mental illness, is unknown. This study quantifies the potential contribution of smoking to reduced life expectancy among individuals with serious psychological distress (SPD), a measure that screens for serious mental illness in national surveys. ⋯ The life expectancy difference between current smokers with SPD and never smokers without SPD is primarily due to smoking. Aiding individuals with serious mental illness to avoid smoking will translate into sizeable gains in life expectancy.